Li Feng returned to his villa, thoroughly satisfied. Obtaining the Snow Jade Art was likely his greatest gain since arriving in this world.
More importantly, he hadn’t spent a single penny. Though he promised to repay Li Quan, he planned to deal with him in a few days. Why would he repay him then?
In his room, Li Feng began studying the Snow Jade Art. But after a short while, he felt his blood surge and his energy reverse.
“Not good.”
Li Feng’s expression changed drastically. He tossed the Snow Jade Art aside and immediately activated his Nine Heavens Heart Sutra.
It was terrifying. The Snow Jade Art was not to be studied lightly.
A sharp glint flashed in Li Feng’s eyes. He had only wanted to examine the technique, but he nearly succumbed to qi deviation. If he hadn’t stopped in time, the consequences would have been dire.
What was going on? Could it be…
Li Feng considered a possibility. The Snow Jade Art was a technique for women, meant only for them to study.
No, that wasn’t quite right.
He recalled a senior from his previous life mentioning that certain special techniques had restrictions placed on them during their transmission. Only those suited to practice them could study them; others who tried would risk qi deviation.
Was the Snow Jade Art one such technique?
Li Feng felt like crying. He had intended the Snow Jade Art for Hu Yuanyuan, but if it had such a restriction, it was uncertain whether she could practice it.
“It seems I got excited for nothing.”
Li Feng gave a bitter smile, shaking his head. He didn’t dare study the Snow Jade Art further and put it away. His gaze then fell on the jade pendant and small cauldron.
These two items were the most valuable in Mr. Lai’s secret room, and Li Feng had chosen them for specific reasons.
The jade pendant was blood jade, a thousand-year-old blood jade. Such jade was used as a burial item, forcibly placed in the deceased’s mouth. If the person had just died, the jade would be swallowed with their last breath, lodging in the throat and mingling with the blood vessels. Over a thousand years, the blood would permeate the jade, creating a stunning blood jade. Often found in the throat of a skeleton, it was the most precious of burial jade.
This blood jade, buried underground for years, absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, possessing strong spirituality. For martial artists, wearing it could enhance cultivation speed.
For ordinary people, blood jade was inauspicious due to its association with the dead. But for martial artists, it was a rare treasure. Li Feng didn’t care about its origins; anything that could boost his strength was valuable.
Since he couldn’t study the Snow Jade Art, the blood jade was currently his most valuable acquisition.
Li Feng wore the blood jade close to his body and turned his attention to the small cauldron. Compared to the blood jade, the cauldron seemed unremarkable, plain and simple.
He picked it up and examined it closely but found nothing special, frowning. Had his instincts been wrong?
When selecting antiques, he had felt the cauldron was significant, despite its lack of spiritual aura. Something told him it was important, so he chose it without hesitation.
But now…
“Never mind, I shouldn’t be too greedy. The blood jade is enough,” Li Feng muttered, putting the cauldron away.
“Li Feng, this time you’re doomed.”
Li Quan returned to his residence, brimming with excitement. He even admired his own brilliant decision.
What had Li Feng obtained? The Lady Painting? No, it was a cursed painting, a deadly one. Having worked with Mr. Lai for years, Li Quan knew why it was called a cursed painting. Over the years, those who studied it met grim fates. He knew of one who died and another who went mad because of it. In the collecting world, the cursed painting was infamous, feared like a plague. Only a fool like Li Feng would treat it as a treasure.
“Li Feng, you might already be mad or dead by now. Hmph, you think avoiding stone gambling means I can’t get your shares in Xiangfeng Investment? In a few days, those shares will be mine, and Hu Yuanyuan will be my woman too.”
Li Quan muttered excitedly to himself.
Unbeknownst to him, Li Feng had already studied the so-called cursed painting. He didn’t know it was the Snow Jade Art with a restriction. Nor did he know that, despite the restriction’s potency, Li Feng, as a martial artist, had quickly overcome the threat of qi deviation.
“Manager Wang, what are you doing here?” Li Quan returned home to find Wang Xiong sitting on his living room sofa. His expression darkened. This was his home, and Wang Xiong, a mere manager of the Black Stone Gang, had entered without permission. Outrageous.
“Why, can’t I be here?” Wang Xiong looked at Li Quan coldly. “In Tianhai City, there’s no place I can’t go. What, is your place some imperial palace or forbidden ground?”
“What’s with your attitude today? Who pissed you off?” Li Quan asked, surprised, looking at Wang Xiong. Though he hadn’t known Wang Xiong long, he thought him calm and composed. Why was he so agitated today?
“Hmph, who else but Li Feng,” Wang Xiong snorted.
“Li Feng? Manager Wang, are you worried about not getting the shares of Xiangfeng Investment? Don’t worry. Even if Li Feng gives up stone gambling, it won’t be long before his shares are ours,” Li Quan said confidently.
“Hmph, what use are those shares even if we get them? Li Quan, are you still playing dumb with me?” Wang Xiong glared at Li Quan, his eyes flashing with killing intent.
“Wang Xiong, what’s that supposed to mean?” Li Quan was furious. A mere manager from the Black Stone Gang dared to act arrogantly before him? He, Li Quan, was the future heir of the Li family, a major Chinese clan.
You think I, Li Quan, won’t wipe out your Black Stone Gang one day?
“What do I mean? Don’t you know? Hmph, Li Quan, you must have had a great time with Li Feng today, huh?” Wang Xiong asked coldly.
“Yeah, I’m thrilled,” Li Quan replied. Thinking of Li Feng’s likely demise due to the cursed painting, he was indeed delighted.
“Such loyalty between master and servant,” Wang Xiong sneered sarcastically, then slammed the coffee table, his icy killing intent radiating. He glared at Li Quan and snapped, “I think you’re courting death.”
